5 Charity Fundraising Event Trends for 2023:
Non-profit organizations and event management professionals have been severely compromised over the past few years because of the cancellation of in-person gatherings, but with every compromise come solutions. The adjustments and new trends of the past two years figure prominently in the continuing recovery of 2023.
Return of Live Events
To everyone’s relief, the industry’s choice 2023 trend is the accelerating return of live events. When non-profits cancel a fundraising event, it isn’t just the loss of a social event. The inability to raise funds prevents an organization from meeting its obligation to the cause it supports and reverberates through those in need.
Fundraisers and event planners everywhere welcome the return of in-person events. Those bold non-profits that stepped up, explored and popularized digital fundraising, virtual, and hybrid, events, blazed the trail that remains popular with today’s fundraisers.
While the return of in-person events may be the core of the recovery, it shares the spotlight with other trends.
Improved Payment/Giving Options
Checking with companies serving the non-profit sector another popular trend is flexible payment and giving.
While fundraising events have evolved in the past few years, payment and giving technologies have improved as well. Supporters and bidders now have the option of joining an event without leaving their homes. This hybrid option gives fundraisers a larger audience and more participation with the opportunity to raise more money.
Pledging and donating along with mobile and online charity silent auctions provide the opportunity for donors to participate from their smartphones, tablets, or computers. Updated payment and pledging options offer participants the convenience of paying instantly from their devices. This makes payment easy for the bidders and completes billing and payment in minutes to the relief of the organizers.
Mobile and online giving percentages are also steadily increasing, as more donors are discovering the ease of fulfilling their support online. Non-profits in turn are creating new giving options to support the trends of their supporters.
Return on Investment
ROI is not so much a trend as a vital area of responsibility receiving extra attention this year as non-profits focus on more cost-efficient strategies. A major area of improvement is self-managed fundraising platforms offering both time and money-saving opportunities. Now using modern technology and the right programs, a laptop computer can replace a technical team at a major event.
Website Enhancement
There is more competition now than ever to grab the attention of bidders and donors through websites. For many donors, an NPO website provides the first impression of who you are, what you do and how you present yourself and your cause.
For quick results, website enhancement continues to be one of the best investments. Pay particular attention to the storytelling element, and design a logical path through your website features to your donation/ giving page. A website revamp in the hands of an experienced web designer can raise visibility, and increase traffic, and support.
Social Media
Leave room in your budget to develop a social media strategy mirroring and directing traffic to your website. Social media represents a proven area where you can personalize your messaging, build ongoing relationships with your donors, and increase their engagement.
It is important to define your audiences, then choose social media that appeals to your defined segments. Social media can be a complicated area of expense. But help is just a keystroke away as the Internet and your chosen media both provide help, advice, and direction.
Summary
Always remember that charitable fundraising is a constantly changing landscape and 2023 will have its own share of challenges and trends. By all reports, the year is likely to present a number of economic obstacles that could impact fundraising. It’s important therefore to understand your donors and their needs to keep them committed to your cause.
